By Aggrey Twesigye
The National Unity Platform (NUP) Ankole Regional Coordinator, Bright Muhumuza, has recounted what he describes as a harrowing three-week detention in a government-operated safe house.
Muhumuza shared his account during an interview with Crooze FM on Monday, detailing the circumstances surrounding his arrest and subsequent detention.
According to Muhumuza, the ordeal began on January 13, 2026, at around 6:00 a.m., when he received a phone call from the Mbarara City Division Police Commander, SP Kenneth Kabwigo, inviting him to what was described as a “harmonization meeting” at Agip Motel.
At the time, Muhumuza had just returned from Kampala, where he had collected appointment letters and facilitation funds intended for NUP coordinators in the Ankole sub-region.
He said he viewed the proposed meeting as an opportunity to reconcile with SP Kabwigo, who had earlier opened a case against him at Mbarara Central Police Station, accusing him of plotting to kill the officer and impounding his campaign vehicle.
Muhumuza explained that he drove to Agip Motel with two NUP supporters and parked a vehicle containing UGX 46 million meant for party coordination activities, UGX 24 million in personal funds, and appointment letters. He left the supporters in the vehicle to guard the items as he went in alone to meet the DPC.
He alleges that upon entering the motel, he was immediately arrested on the orders of the DPC, handcuffed, and beaten for about 30 minutes in the officer’s presence. He further claims that vehicles carrying plain-clothed men whom he believes were operatives of the Special Forces Command (SFC)—later arrived and took him away.
Muhumuza said he was blindfolded and driven to an unknown location, where he was allegedly interrogated and assaulted. He claims he was questioned about his political ambitions in Mbarara despite being a native of Rukungiri District, and held in isolation without access to family or legal counsel.
He described the conditions of detention as harsh, citing inadequate food, poor hygiene, and complete incommunicado confinement.
While in detention, Muhumuza said another detainee, identified only as Asiko, informed him that opposition figure Sam Mugumya had also been held at the facility and was later rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Muhumuza further alleged that his detention was politically motivated by rivals in Mbarara City South, where he unsuccessfully contested for a parliamentary seat. He said he has not conceded defeat and intends to challenge the election results in court.
He also cited financial strain following his detention, claiming he invested approximately UGX 500 million in his parliamentary campaign. He added that his businesses have suffered setbacks, including attempts by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to close his paver-laying factory in Koranorya, over allegations that it is located in a wetland.
Describing conditions in the alleged safe house as “heinous,” Muhumuza claimed that many Ugandans continue to suffer similar treatment in facilities he believes are operated by the SFC.
He said that after three weeks in detention, on February 5, 2026, at around 3:00 a.m., he was blindfolded again and transported to the Rwizi Regional Police Headquarters, where he was formally handed back to police.
Muhumuza was later arraigned before the Mbarara Grade One Magistrate’s Court and charged with rash and negligent acts contrary to Section 211(a) of the Penal Code Act, nearly three weeks after he had been reported missing.
He was subsequently remanded to Kyamugorani Prison, where he spent six days. He said conditions there were relatively better, praised prison officers for their professionalism, and revealed plans to mobilize friends to support renovation works, including repainting prison wards.
Now out on bail, Muhumuza maintains that the charges against him are politically motivated. He is expected to return to court on March 12, 2026, for mention of his case.
